City Gears Up for Pride Month Events

The City will raise the Pride Flag over City Hall for the sixth consecutive year on Monday, continuing a tradition launched by late Councilmember John J. Kennedy before his death in office in 2022.

The ceremony is scheduled for 12:30 p.m. Monday outside City Hall and will be hosted by Mayor Victor M. Gordo and members of the City Council. Attendees are encouraged to wear colorful attire and participate in what organizers describe as a “community rainbow.”

Kennedy, who represented District 3, first pushed for the city to fly the rainbow flag in 2021 after Pamela Weatherspoon, then vice president of Enterprise Diversity, Equity and Inclusion at Huntington Hospital, urged Pasadena to join the hospital in recognizing LGBTQ+ Pride Month.

Kennedy and Gordo raised the flag together that June in what marked the first Pride Flag ceremony at Pasadena City Hall.

Kennedy died the following year, but the city has continued the annual observance each June.

The event marks the start of Pasadena’s official recognition of LGBTQ+ Pride Month, observed nationally in honor of the 1969 Stonewall Uprising in New York City.

Past ceremonies have included members of the City Council, representatives from the San Gabriel Valley LGBTQ+ Center, members of the Los Angeles County LGBTQ+ Commission and community residents. Previous events have featured the Progress Pride Flag, designed by nonbinary artist Daniel Quasar and produced by San Diego-based Pride Flag SD.

The ceremony is free and open to the public and will take place at Pasadena City Hall, 100 N. Garfield Ave. For information, call (626) 744-7210 or email AMellem@CityOfPasadena.net.

Here are the other items scheduled for Pride Month.

Parenting with Pride: LGBTQIA+ and Inclusivity 101 Thursday, June 11 • 4:30 p.m. • Jefferson Branch Library, 1500 E. Villa St. Join us for a workshop led by Planned Parenthood Pasadena & San Gabriel Valley to reflect on health and social disparities that affect the LGBTQIA+ community and recognize that everyone deserves respect regardless of their identity or orientation. You’ll also learn how to use gender-neutral language and how to help youth feel safe. For ages 18+. To attend, sign up at CityOfPasadena.net/Library/Calendar/.

Pasadena Pride Saturday, June 13 • 6–9 p.m. • Pasadena City Hall, 100 N. Garfield Ave. Celebrate with live entertainment, crafts and more! Enjoy family-friendly fun and connect with local LGBTQIA+ organizations. Free admission; food available for purchase.

Make Your Mark: A Keith Haring Workshop for Teens Tuesday, June 23 • 3 p.m. • Jefferson Branch Library, 1500 E. Villa St. Join us and explore the influential work of Keith Haring. Discover how his art and activism continue to uplift LGBTQIA+ rights, visibility and equality. Then create your own Haring-inspired artwork, experimenting with movement, color and your own message for the world. Supplies provided. For ages 13-19.

Online Book Group Saturday, June 27 • 10:30 a.m. • Zoom We will discuss Crawl: Stories by Max Delsohn for Pride Month in June. A limited number of print copies will be available for checkout from Hill Avenue Branch Library. To attend, sign up at CityOfPasadena.net/Library/Calendar/. For ages 50+.

Pride Crafternoon Saturday, June 27 • 3 p.m. • Hill Avenue Branch Library, 55 S. Hill Ave. Join us in the courtyard for a low-key LGBTQIA+ crafting mixer. Pride Month might be winding down but there’s still time left to mix, mingle…and share your story through a zine. Show your pride with a pony bead bracelet – Catch up with an old pal via a hand-crafted postcard – The choice is yours. We’ll provide the materials – you bring the creativity! For ages 18+.

LGBTQIA+ owned Businesses Spotlight Series

Month-long series | Social Media The City’s Communication and Marketing Division and Economic Development Division under the City Manager’s Office will highlight LGBTQIA+ owned businesses in Pasadena throughout June. Follow along on social media via Facebook and Instagram @CityOfPasadena, and Twitter @PasadenaGov.